What are the best practices for cryptography in this scenario

Question

In scenarios where sensitive data needs protection, what are the must-follow cryptographic practices, such as algorithm choice, key management, and avoiding vulnerabilities, to ensure maximum security without overcomplicating the system?

Answer 1

Here are the Top 5 Best Practices for Cryptography in scenarios requiring sensitive data protection:

1. Use Modern and Secure Algorithms

Choose trusted encryption algorithms like AES (256-bit) for data encryption and RSA or ECC for secure communication. Avoid outdated options like DES or MD5.

2. Secure Key Management

Store encryption keys securely in a Key Management System (KMS) or hardware security modules (HSM). Regularly rotate keys and avoid hard-coding them in your application.

3. Encrypt Data in Transit and at Rest

• Use TLS 1.3 to encrypt data in transit.
• Encrypt stored data with strong algorithms (e.g., AES-256) and protect the keys separately.

4. Implement Secure Password Storage

Hash passwords with strong algorithms like Argon2 or bcrypt and add unique, random salts to each hash to prevent attacks.

5. Avoid Custom Cryptography

Use established libraries like OpenSSL, Bouncy Castle, or Libsodium. Do not attempt to create your own cryptographic methods, as they are prone to vulnerabilities.